Device and system for releasing vacuum pressure from liquid-dispensing containers

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to devices for safely and cleanly puncturing liquid-dispensing containers to release pressure caused by liquid dispensing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate to liquid-containerpuncturing devices which allow air to enter containers and preventcontaminants from entering the container. Particular embodimentscomprise a hollow cylinder for puncturing plastic, handles, ventilationholes, and a cover. Further embodiments comprise a system comprising apuncturing device and a liquid container having a segment which can beeasily punctured by preferred embodiments of the puncturing device ofthe present invention.

2. Description of the Related Art

Liquid dispensing containers often build up vacuum pressure as waterleaves the container. The build up pressure significantly reduces theflow of liquids from the container. In order to eliminate the vacuum,owners of liquid dispensing containers (such as commercial drinkingwater containers with a spigot) use a sharp object such as a knife topuncture a hole into the container. However, a person's hand may slipduring the puncturing and may be cut on the sharp object. This poses aparticular threat to children and geriatric users of water-dispensingcontainers. In addition, the resulting hole can allow contaminants toenter the container. While various devices for removing vacuum pressureexist in the prior art, such devices are typically difficult to handleand can allow contaminants to enter. Additionally, liquid containers ofthe prior art can be difficult to puncture in order to release vacuumpressure which builds up as the liquid flows out from the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention comprise puncturing devices whichsafely puncture, release vacuum pressure from, and prevent contaminantsfrom entering into liquid-dispensing containers. The puncturing ofair-tight containers facilitates the entry of air into the container andeliminates the vacuum that results from fluid being dispensed from theair-tight container. Embodiments of the device preferably comprise ahollow tube with a sharp angle at its tip which facilitates puncturingof containers made of puncturable material such as plastic. Embodimentsadditionally comprise handles which preferably extend perpindicularlyoutward from the hollow puncturing shaft. The handles allow the user tobetter control the insertion and removal of the puncturing device intoand from a container. The puncturing device further comprises aprotective cap which preferably prevents contaminants and/or debris fromentering into the container, and may facilitate insertion of the deviceinto containers. The device additionally comprises ventilation holeswithin the hollow puncturing shaft, which are protected from outsidedebris by the protective cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a pressure-releasing puncturing device.

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the puncturing device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the puncturing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention comprise puncturing devices whichsafely puncture, release vacuum pressure from, and prevent contaminantsfrom entering into liquid-dispensing containers. The puncturing ofair-tight containers facilitates the entry of air into the container andeliminates the vacuum that results from fluid being dispensed from theair-tight container.

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a pressure-releasingpuncturing device 10 of the present invention. The device preferablycomprises a hollow shaft 12 that ends in a hollow piercing tip 14. Inpreferred embodiments, the hollow shaft is cylindrical, while in otherembodiments the hollow shaft can be another shape. In accordance withpreferred embodiments, the hollow piercing tip 14 can be formed bycutting the hollow shaft 12 along an angle measuring approximatelythirty degrees at the end of the puncturing device. In alternativeembodiments, the angle at the end of the hollow piercing tip 14 can bebetween twenty degrees and forty-five degrees. The hollow piercing tip14 is preferably sharp enough to allow piercing of a plastic containerwith a minimal amount of force exerted by the user. Alternativepreferred embodiments comprise hollow puncturing tips 14 comprisinglarger angles and/or rounded or smoothened tips for safety, so that thehollow puncturing tip 14 is less likely to accidentally puncture humanskin.

Preferred embodiments of the device may optionally comprise handles 16which extend perpindicularly from the hollow shaft 12. The handles 16preferably extend out far enough to provide a surface with which theuser's hand may contact when inserting and removing the device 10 from acontainer. In preferred embodiments, the handles 16 are rigid enough tomaintain their shape when subjected to enough pressure to insert andremove the device 10 from a container. The handles can also preferablyblock contaminants and debris from entering the punctured containerthrough the hole created by the puncturing device 10 during insertion.

Preferred embodiments of the device 10 comprise a protective cap 18. Theprotective cap 18 covers the top end of the hollow shaft 12 to preventdebris or contaminants from entering into the punctured containerthrough the device 10. The protective cap preferably 18 provides enoughsurface area so that the protective cap 18 can be grasped or pressedupon by the user's fingers. The protective cap 18 can be a separatepiece which is preferably sealed onto the hollow shaft 12 of the device,or in alternative preferred embodiments, the cap and the rest of thedevice is formed of a continuous material.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment ofthe device 10 of FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, preferred embodimentsof the device 10 further comprise at least one air flow hole 20, andmore preferably a plurality of air flow holes 20, on the hollow shaft12. The air flow holes 20 are preferably located adjacent to an air-flowchannel 22, which comprises a space located between the protective cap18, the handles 16, and the hollow shaft 12.

FIG. 3 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention,wherein the venting device comprises a hollow shaft 12, and openpuncturing tip 14, and an open end 30. A cap 18 fits over the open end30, but does not close off the open end. The cap has at least one vent32, preferably on the underside of the cap 18.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, no separate handles are used becausethe cap itself provides surfaces on the top 36 and bottom 34 configuredto facilitate manual insertion and withdrawal.

Upon puncturing of the container by the device 10, air is allowed toflow freely from the outside into the air channel 22, through the airflow holes 20 and hollow shaft 12, and into the container. The device 10further allows air flow in the opposite direction, from the container tothe outside. In preferred embodiments, the protective cap 18significantly reduces the debris and contaminants from entering thepunctured container through the air flow holes 20.

Preferred embodiments of the device 10 comprise a metal, plastic, orother material known to those skilled in the art which is rigid enoughto maintain its shape when puncturing fluid devices. Alternativeembodiments can preferably be made from a material which can resist hightemperatures and detergents used in dishwashing machines.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention further comprise waterdispensing systems. The systems preferably comprise embodiments of thepuncturing device 10 of the present invention and water dispensingcontainers comprising a segment which can be easily punctured bypuncturing devices. In preferred embodiments, the segment is located onthe top, sides, front or back of the container. The easily-puncturablesegment preferably comprises a material with a thickness and tensionwhich is strong enough to maintain structural integrity so as not tobreak during transportation or normal use, while simultaneously having athickness and tension which allows for easier puncturing by puncturingdevices of the present invention. The puncturable segment preferablycomprises a shape and area that is about the same as the shape and areaof the radial cross section of the shaft of the puncturing device. Thepuncturable segment can be punctured using less force than necessary topuncture the rest of the liquid-dispensing container. The puncturablesegment can preferably be made from plastic, foil, or other materialknown to those skilled in the art. The device is preferably allowed toremain in the container after puncturing, whereby the device allows airflow into and out of the container while preventing solid and/or liquidcontaminants from entering into the container. In preferred embodiments,the liquid-dispensing container comprises a sign indicating to the userthe location of the segment into which the puncturing device should beinserted.

Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, butmerely as providing illustrations of some of the presently preferredembodiments. Similarly, other embodiments of the invention may bedevised which do not depart from the spirit or scope of the presentinvention. All additions, deletions and modifications to the inventionas disclosed herein which fall within the meaning and scope of theclaims are to be embraced thereby.

1. A device for venting a liquid-dispensing container, comprising: ahollow shaft comprising an open piercing tip; a cap; and at least onevent hole in the hollow shaft in fluid communication with the openpiercing tip.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a handle. 3.The device of claim 1, wherein the hollow piercing tip ends an angle ofabout thirty degrees.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein the handle isgenerally perpendicular to the hollow shaft.
 5. The device of claim 2,wherein the handle is large enough to be grasped and/or pushed by humanfingers.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises aplurality of vent holes.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the capextends over the at least one vent hole without blocking air flow to andfrom the vent hole.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device isconstructed from a plastic material.
 9. The device of claim 1, whereinthe device is constructed from a metal material.
 10. The device of claim1, wherein the device comprises both plastic and metal materials.
 11. Asystem for dispensing liquid from a container, comprising: thepuncturing device of claim 1; and a liquid dispensing-containercomprising a segment which can be punctured by the piercing tip usingless force than that necessary to puncture the rest of the container.12. The system of claim 11, wherein the segment has about the same areaand shape as the radial cross section of the hollow shaft of thepuncturing device.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the segmentcomprises plastic.